Reds winger Digby Ioane has been suspended for five weeks for a dangerous tackle in their match against the Sharks.

Ioane tip-tackled Sharks flanker Marcell Coetzee, and while he was yellow carded for the offence, the citing commissioner decided the incident warranted further inspection.

Two previous disciplinary matters relating to dangerous tackles in 2008 counted against Ioane, who will be sidelined until the Reds’ round nine clash with the Blues in Auckland. The ban translates into four missed games, given the Reds have a bye in round eight.